File claims, track claim status, submit evidence, and manage dependents — all from your VA login.
From VA.gov, you can access your VA health records
Using your VA.gov login, veterans can access My HealtheVet, which is where you retrieve your VA Blue Button Report.
My HealtheVet (accessed through VA.gov)
Access VA health tools including medical records, lab results, medications, and prescriptions.
VA Blue Button Report (downloaded through My HealtheVet)
👉 Critical for claims
Allows veterans to download their complete VA medical records, which are commonly used as medical evidence for disability claims.
If you need copies of your military service records, the SF-180 (Standard Form 180) is the official form used to request them.
The SF-180 is commonly used to obtain:
These records are often needed to support VA disability claims, especially when service medical records are missing, incomplete, or not available through VA systems like VA.gov or My HealtheVet.
When the SF-180 is useful
Where to get the SF-180
You can download the SF-180 directly from the National Archives:
👉 https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180
Important:
It’s best to request these records as early as possible if you think you may need them.
Important SF-180 Submission Note:
When completing the SF-180, be sure to review Page 3 of the form. Page 3 explains where and how to submit your request, based on your branch of service, dates of service, and the type of records you are requesting. Submission instructions can vary, so checking this page helps ensure your request is sent to the correct location and avoids unnecessary delays.
Veterans can request a wide range of personal, medical, and military records from a VA Regional Office, most commonly by submitting VA Form 20-10206 (Freedom of Information Act / Privacy Act Request). These records are often critical for disability claims, appeals, and corrections.
Records Available at VA Regional Offices
Claims File (C-File)
Your complete VA claims file, including rating decisions, evidence, correspondence, and prior submissions.
Medical & Service Records
Disability & Pension Records
Benefit Documentation
Other VA Records
How to Request These Records
Online or Mail (Recommended):
Submit VA Form 20-10206 – Freedom of Information Act / Privacy Act Request.
In Person or Mail:
Visit or send a written request to your local VA Regional Office.
Louisville VA Regional Benefit
321 W Main St, Suite 390
Louisville, KY 40202
Online Portal:
Requests can also be submitted electronically through VA.gov, maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Military Service Records (DD-214 / Personnel Files):
These may also be requested through eVetRecs via the National Archives.
What You’ll Need to Provide
When requesting records, be prepared to include:
Important Notes
VA disability ratings are not based on opinions, personal statements alone, or how convincing someone sounds. They are based on federal law. Knowing how the system works helps veterans focus on the evidence that actually matters.
38 CFR (Title 38 – Code of Federal Regulations)
This is the federal law that governs VA disability benefits and ratings.
eCFR – Title 38
The official, up-to-date online version of Title 38 used by the VA to determine eligibility and ratings.
The rating schedule within Title 38 explains how each condition is evaluated, what symptoms matter, and what criteria must be met for each percentage level.
Why these matters
VA ratings are assigned by comparing your medical evidence to specific legal criteria in the VASRD.
Understanding those criteria helps veterans:
The VA.gov disability ratings section, maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, breaks this system down in plain language and offers tools veterans can actually use.
From this section, veterans can:
The law (38 CFR) tells the VA what to rate.
VA.gov explains how the VA applies it in real life.
A Nexus Letter is a medical opinion written by a qualified healthcare provider that explains whether a current medical condition is connected to military service. In VA terms, it addresses whether a condition is “at least as likely as not” related to service, a service-connected exposure, or another already service-connected condition.
A strong Nexus Letter is based on:
A Nexus Letter does not guarantee approval, but it can be critical when the VA requires a clear medical link between service and a claimed condition.
A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is a standardized medical evaluation tool used to document the presence, severity, and functional impact of a medical condition for VA disability purposes. It is designed to capture the specific medical findings required under VA rating criteria in a clear, consistent format.
A properly completed DBQ includes:
DBQs help ensure that all medically relevant elements needed for evaluation are addressed and clearly documented.
Both types of evidence matter, but they serve different purposes.
Medical Evidence includes:
Medical evidence establishes what the condition is and how severe it is.
Lay Statements include:
Lay evidence explains how the condition affects daily life, work, sleep, mobility, or mental health. It cannot replace medical evidence, but it helps paint the full picture.
The strongest claims use both.
An Independent Medical Exam may be helpful when:
An IME can provide additional medical documentation that supports a claim or appeal.
Our exams focus on accurate medical documentation aligned with VA rating criteria.
*Results vary and are not guaranteed*
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